Following the parliamentary decision, Taras Vysotsky announced his appointment, thanking President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi, and members of parliament for entrusting him with leading the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food.
"It is a great honour for me and, above all, a great responsibility to the people who continue to sustain Ukraine's rural communities and agricultural economy today," the minister said.
According to Vysotsky, despite the war, daily risks and losses, Ukrainian farmers continue to work, ensuring the country's food security and maintaining Ukraine's position as one of the world's guarantors of global food security.
The new minister outlined the ministry's key priorities, including preparing Ukraine's agricultural sector for full membership in the European Union, attracting investment, developing the food processing industry, creating new opportunities for Ukrainian producers, strengthening competitiveness, and expanding export markets.
Support for farmers in de-occupied and frontline regions was identified as another major priority. This includes agricultural land demining, restoring production, expanding access to financing, and improving access to government support programmes.
Taras Vysotsky also stressed the importance of continuing reforms and accelerating the digitalisation of the agricultural sector to build a modern and competitive agricultural policy.
The newly appointed minister thanked the team at the Ministry of Economy for their professional cooperation over the past year and expressed confidence that, together with the agricultural community, international partners, parliament and the government, Ukraine will continue to advance the development of its agricultural sector.
"We are working for Ukrainian farmers, for strong rural communities, and for Ukraine's European future," Taras Vysotsky concluded.